Hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod

ABSTRACT

A hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod consisting of C: 0.1 to 0.3%, Si: 0.05 to 1.5%, Mn: 0.4 to 2.0%, S: 0.003 to 0.05%, Cr: 0.5 to 3.0%, Al: 0.02 to 0.05%, and N: 0.010 to 0.025%, the balance being Fe and impurities, and the impurities containing P: 0.025% or less, Ti: 0.003% or less, and O: 0.002% or less, wherein the structure thereof is composed of a ferrite-pearlite structure, ferrite-pearlite-bainite structure, or ferrite-bainite structure; the standard deviation of ferrite fractions at the time when randomly selected 15 viewing fields of a transverse cross section are observed and measured with the area per one viewing field being 62,500 μm 2  is 0.10 or less; and in a region from the surface to one-fifth of the radius and a region from the center to one-fifth of the radius in the transverse cross section, the amount of Al precipitating as AlN is 0.005% or less, and the density in terms of the number of AlN having a diameter of 100 nm or larger is 5/100 μm 2  or less. In the hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod, even if hot forging is performed in various temperature ranges, austenite grains can be stably prevented from being coarsened at the time of heating for carburization.

The disclosure of International Application No. PCT/JP2010/068897 filedJun. 9, 2010 including specification, drawings and claims isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod.More particularly, it relates to a hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod thathas an excellent property in preventing crystal grains from beingcoarsened at the time of carburizing or carbo-nitriding, and is suitableas a starting material for parts, such as gears, pulleys, and shafts,that are roughly formed by hot forging.

BACKGROUND ART

In many cases, parts such as gears, pulleys, and shafts for motorvehicles and industrial machinery are manufactured by roughly shapingthem by hot forging or cold forging, by subjecting them to cutting workand thereafter to casehardening by carburizing quenching orcarbo-nitriding quenching. Unfortunately, if pre-quenched austenitegrains are coarsened by the heat from carburizing or carbo-nitriding,there easily arise problems that the fatigue strength as a partdecreases and that the amount of deformation at the quenching timeincreases.

Generally, it has been thought that, as compared with cold-forged parts,in hot-forged parts, the austenite grains are less liable to becoarsened at the time of carburizing or carbo-nitriding. In recentyears, however, with the progress of hot forging technique, hot forginghas frequently been performed in various temperature ranges, and thenumber of hot-forged parts with the austenite grains coarsened at thetime of carburizing or carbo-nitriding has increased. Therefore, therehas been demanded a hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod in which austenitegrains can be stably prevented from being coarsened at the heating timein the process of carburizing or carbo-nitriding even if hot forging isperformed in various temperature ranges, and techniques concerningsteels and/or producing methods therefor have been proposed in PatentDocuments 1 to 3.

Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a “Grain stabilizedcarburizing steel” in which a steel with limited amounts of sol.Al and Nand a limited ratio of “sol.Al/N” is heated to a temperature of 1200° C.or higher and thereafter is hot worked.

Patent Document 2 discloses a “Producing method of steel having superiorcold workability and preventing coarsening of grain during carburizationheating” in which the Al/N ratio and the “Al+2N” amount are limited, andfurther the amount of AlN precipitated in a rolled material and theferrite grain size number are defined. As seen in the title of inventionand the object of invention of Patent Document 2, the technique proposedin Patent Document 2 is premised on the fact that the steel is roughlyformed as rolled by cold working, and subsequently is subjected tocarburizing treatment.

Patent Document 3 discloses a “Case hardening steel excellent inpreventability of coarse grain and its producing method” in which theamount of AlN precipitated, the bainite structure fraction, the ferriteband, and the like are defined. As described in the paragraph [0002] ofPatent Document 3, the technique proposed in Patent Document 3 is alsopremised on the fact that the steel is roughly formed by cold forging,and subsequently is subjected to carburizing quenching

-   [Patent Document 1] JP56-75551A-   [Patent Document 2] JP61-261427A-   [Patent Document 3] JP11-106866A

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, it could notnecessarily be said that in the case where hot forging is performed invarious temperature ranges, austenite grains can be stably preventedfrom being coarsened at the time of heating in the process ofcarburizing or carbo-nitriding.

That is, in the technique proposed in Patent Document 1, the steel isheated to a temperature of 1200° C. or higher, and thereafter is hotworked. However, in the hot forging in mass production, many parts areheated to a temperature lower than 1200° C. Therefore, Patent Document 1does not propose a technique in which austenite grains can be stablyprevented from being coarsened at the carburizing time even in the casewhere hot forging is performed in various temperature ranges.

In the technique proposed in Patent Document 2, the heating temperaturein a center of a starting material is not considered. Further, althoughconcerning the structure, the ferrite grain size number is defined, thedistribution state of ferrite structure is not considered. Therefore, itcannot necessarily be said that in the case where hot forging isperformed in various temperature ranges, austenite grains can be stablyprevented from being coarsened at the time of heating for carburization.

The technique proposed in Patent Document 3 does not also consider theheating temperature in a center of a starting material. Further,although concerning the structure, the bainite structure fraction andthe ferrite band are defined, the distribution state of ferrite is notconsidered. Therefore, it cannot necessarily be said that in the casewhere hot forging is performed in various temperature ranges, austenitegrains can be stably prevented from being coarsened at the time ofheating for carburization.

The present invention has been made in view of the aforementionedpresent situation, and accordingly an objective thereof is to provide ahot-rolled steel bar or wire rod in which austenite grains can be stablyprevented from being coarsened when the steel is heated in the processof carburizing or carbo-nitriding, especially when the steel is heatedat a temperature of 980° C. or lower for three hours or shorter even ifbeing hot forged in various temperature ranges, especially being hotforged after being heated to 900 to 1200° C., and which is suitable as astarting material for parts that are roughly formed by hot forging.

In the present invention, the case where two or more austenite grainshaving a grain size number of 5 or less exist when randomly selected tenviewing fields are observed with the size of each viewing field being1.0 mm×1.0 mm is defined as the coarsening of austenite grains.

Means for Solving the Problems

So far, it has been known that as disclosed in Patent Document 2 andPatent Document 3, by reducing the amount of AlN precipitated at thestage of hot-rolled material, austenite grains can be prevented frombeing coarsened at the time of heating for carburization in the casewhere the steel is roughly formed by cold working (cold forging).However, it cannot necessarily be said that in the case where hotforging is performed in various temperature ranges, even if the amountof AlN precipitated is reduced at the stage of hot-rolled material,austenite grains can be stably prevented from being coarsened when thesteel is heated for carburization at a temperature of 980° C. or lower.

Accordingly, the present inventors carried out investigations andstudies repeatedly on the influences of the precipitated amount anddispersed state of AlN, and micro-structure exerted on a hot-rolledsteel bar or wire rod in which austenite grains can be stably preventedfrom being coarsened even if the steel is heated at a temperature of980° C. or lower in the process of carburizing or carbo-nitriding in thecase where hot forging is performed in various temperature ranges. Asthe result, the present inventors obtained the findings of items (a) to(e). In the description below, “carburizing or carbo-nitriding” issometimes referred simply to as “carburizing”. Unless otherwise noted,“heating for carburization” means “heating at a temperature of 980° C.or lower for carburization.”

(a) Even in the case where the steel is roughly formed by hot forging,as the amount of AlN precipitated decreases at the stage of hot-rolledmaterial, austenite grains are less liable to be coarsened at the timeof heating for carburization.

(b) In a cast piece after being subjected to continuous casting in alarge cross-section, which is general in a mass production process,coarse AlN is produced. If the coarse AlN remains, even if the amount ofAlN precipitated is small, austenite grains are liable to be coarsenedat the time of heating for carburization.

(c) In the heating of a cast piece and a slab obtained by the bloomingof the cast piece, it takes much time for the temperature of the centerto become equivalent to the temperature of the surface because thetemperature rises from the surface side. Therefore, in the case ofgeneral heating, in the center of the hot-rolled material, the amount ofAlN precipitated and the amount of coarse AlN grains increase ascompared with the outer layer portion, so that austenite grains cannotnecessarily be prevented stably from being coarsened at the time ofheating for carburization.

(d) The amount of AlN precipitated is generally determined by analyzingthe residues electrolytically extracted from the outer layer portion.Therefore, the amount of AlN precipitated determined by the generalextracted residue analysis does not serve as an index of preventingaustenite grains from being coarsened at the time of heating forcarburization in the vicinity of the center. In order to attainprevention of austenite grains from being coarsened at the time ofheating for carburization in the vicinity of the center, the amount ofAlN precipitated in the vicinity of the center must also be decreased toa predetermined amount or smaller.

(e) Even after hot forging has been performed, the nonuniformity ofmicro-structure in the steel material cross section at the stage ofhot-rolled material is related to the coarsened state of austenitegrains at the time of heating for carburization. If the variations inferrite fraction of the hot-rolled material are decreased, austenitegrains become less liable to be coarsened at the time of heating forcarburization.

The present invention was completed based on the above findings, and thegists thereof are hot-rolled steel bars or wire rods described in thefollowing items (1) to (3).

(1) A hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod having a chemical compositionconsisting of, by mass percent, C: 0.1 to 0.3%, Si: 0.05 to 1.5%, Mn:0.4 to 2.0%, S: 0.003 to 0.05%, Cr: 0.5 to 3.0%, Al: 0.02 to 0.05%, andN: 0.010 to 0.025%, the balance being Fe and impurities, and thecontents of P, Ti and O (oxygen) in the impurities being P: 0.025% orless, Ti: 0.003% or less, and O: 0.002% or less, wherein

the structure of the hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod is composed of aferrite-pearlite structure, ferrite-pearlite-bainite structure, orferrite-bainite structure;

the standard deviation of ferrite fractions at the time when randomlyselected 15 viewing fields of a transverse cross section are observedand measured with the area per one viewing field being 62,500 μm² is0.10 or less; and

when a region from the surface to one-fifth of the radius and a regionfrom the center to one-fifth of the radius in the transverse crosssection are observed, in each of the regions, the amount of Alprecipitating as AlN is 0.005% or less, and the density in terms of thenumber of AlN having a diameter of 100 nm or larger is 5/100 μm² orless.

(2) The hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod described in item (1), whereinthe chemical composition further contains, by mass percent, at least oneelement selected from Ni: 1.5% or less and Mo: 0.8% or less in place ofsome of Fe.

(3) The hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod described in item (1) or (2),wherein the hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod contains, by mass percent,at least one element selected from Nb: 0.08% or less and V: 0.2% or lessin lieu of part of Fe.

The “impurities” in “Fe and impurities” of the balance are elements thatmixedly enter from the ore and scrap used as raw materials, theenvironment, or the like when a steel material is produced on anindustrial scale.

The “diameter” of AlN is the arithmetic mean of the major axis and theminor axis of AlN of the extraction replica specimen prepared by thegeneral method, which are observed and measured by using a transmissionelectron microscope.

The “ferrite-pearlite structure” is a mixed structure of ferrite andpearlite, the “ferrite-pearlite-bainite structure” is the mixedstructure of ferrite, pearlite, and bainite, and the “ferrite-bainitestructure” is the mixed structure of ferrite and bainite.

The “ferrite” that forms each of the mixed structure does not includeferrite in pearlite.

Advantage of the Invention

The hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod in accordance with the presentinvention can be suitably used as a starting material for parts, such asgears, pulleys, and shafts, that are roughly formed by hot forgingbecause austenite grains can be stably prevented from being coarsenedwhen the steel is heated in the process of carburizing orcarbo-nitriding, especially when the steel is heated at a temperature of980° C. or lower for three hours or shorter even if being hot forged invarious temperature ranges, especially being hot forged after beingheated to 900 to 1200° C.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereunder, the requirements of the present invention are explained indetail. An ideogram of “%” relating to the content of each element means“mass percent”.

(A) Chemical Composition

C: 0.1 to 0.3%

Carbon (C) is an essential element for securing the core strength of apart subjected to carburizing quenching or carbo-nitriding quenching.The C content lower than 0.1% is insufficient to achieve the effect. Onthe other hand, if the C content exceeds 0.3%, the machinability afterhot forging decreases remarkably. Therefore, the C content is 0.1 to0.3%. The C content is preferably 0.18% or more, and preferably 0.25% orless.

Si: 0.05 to 1.5%

Silicon (Si) is an element having an effect of improving the fatiguestrength because of having an effect of enhancing the hardenability andthe temper softening resistance. However, if the Si content is less than0.05%, the effect is insufficient. On the other hand, if the Si contentexceeds 1.5%, not only the effect of enhancing the fatigue strengthsaturates but also the machinability after hot forging decreasesremarkably. Therefore, the Si content is 0.05 to 1.5%. When the Sicontent is 0.4% or more, the effect of improving the fatigue strength isremarkable, so that the Si content is preferably 0.4% or more. The Sicontent is preferably 0.8% or less.

Mn: 0.4 to 2.0%

Manganese (Mn) is an element having an effect of improving the fatiguestrength because of having an effect of enhancing the hardenability andthe temper softening resistance. However, if the Mn content is less than0.4%, the effect is insufficient. On the other hand, if the Mn contentexceeds 2.0%, not only the effect of enhancing the fatigue strengthsaturates but also the machinability after hot forging decreasesremarkably. Therefore, the Mn content is 0.4 to 2.0%. The Mn content ispreferably 0.8% or more and 1.2% or less.

S: 0.003 to 0.05%

Sulfur (S) combines with Mn to form MnS, and improves the machinability.However, if the S content is less than 0.003%, the effect cannot beachieved. On the other hand, if the S content increases, coarse MnS isliable to be produced, which tends to degrade the fatigue strength. Inparticular, if the S content exceeds 0.05%, the fatigue strengthdegrades remarkably. Therefore, the S content is 0.003 to 0.05%. The Scontent is preferably 0.01% or more and 0.03% or less.

Cr: 0.5 to 3.0%

Chromium (Cr) is an element having an effect of improving the fatiguestrength because of having an effect of enhancing the hardenability andthe temper softening resistance. However, if the Cr content is less than0.5%, the effect is insufficient. On the other hand, if the Cr contentexceeds 3.0%, not only the effect of enhancing the fatigue strengthsaturates but also the machinability after hot forging decreasesremarkably. Therefore, the Cr content is 0.5 to 3.0%. When the Crcontent is 1.3% or more, the effect of improving the fatigue strength isremarkable, so that the Cr content is preferably 1.3% or more. The Crcontent is preferably 2.0% or less.

Al: 0.02 to 0.05%

Aluminum (A) is an element effective in preventing austenite grains frombeing coarsened at the time of heating for carburization because ofhaving an action for deoxidation and simultaneously being liable to formAlN by combining with N. However, if the Al content is less than 0.02%,even if other requirements are met, an effect of preventing austenitegrains from being coarsened, which is the target of the presentinvention, of the later-described requirement of “coarse grains are notformed when the steel is heated at a temperature of 980° C. or lower forthree hours” cannot be achieved. If the Al content exceeds 0.05%,likewise, even if other requirements are met, the effect of preventingaustenite grains from being coarsened, which is the target of thepresent invention, cannot be achieved. Therefore, the Al content is 0.02to 0.05%. The Al content is preferably 0.03% or more and 0.04% or less.

N: 0.010 to 0.025%

Nitrogen (N) is an element that is liable to form AlN, NbN, VN, and TiNby combining with Al, Nb, V, and Ti. In the present invention, among thenitrides, AlN, NbN, and VN have an effect of preventing austenite grainsfrom being coarsened at the time of heating for carburization. However,if the N content is less than 0.010%, even if other requirements aremet, the effect of preventing austenite grains from being coarsened,which is the target of the present invention, cannot be achieved. On theother hand, if the N content exceeds 0.025%, especially in the steelmaking process, stable mass production becomes difficult to achieve.Therefore, the N content is 0.010 to 0.025%. The N content is preferably0.013% or more and 0.020% or less.

One of the chemical compositions of the hot-rolled steel bar or wire rodin accordance with the present invention is a chemical composition inwhich besides the elements, the balance consists of Fe and impurities,and the contents of P, Ti and O (oxygen) in the impurities are P: 0.025%or less, Ti: 0.003% or less, and O: 0.002% or less.

Hereunder, P, Ti and O in the impurities are explained.

P: 0.025% or Less

Phosphorus (P) is an element that segregates at grain boundaries and isliable to embrittle the grain boundaries. If the P content exceeds0.025%, the fatigue strength is decreased. Therefore, the content of Pin the impurities is 0.025% or less. The content of P in the impuritiesis preferably 0.015% or less.

Ti: 0.003% or Less

Titanium (Ti) is liable to form hard and coarse TiN by combining with N,and decreases the fatigue strength. Especially, if the Ti contentexceeds 0.003%, the fatigue strength decreases remarkably. Therefore,the content of Ti in the impurities is 0.003% or less. The content of Tias an impurity element is preferably 0.002% or less.

O: 0.002% or Less

Oxygen (O) is liable to form hard oxide-base inclusions by combiningwith Al, and decreases the fatigue strength. Especially, if the Ocontent exceeds 0.002%, the fatigue strength decreases remarkably.Therefore, the content of O in the impurities is 0.002% or less. Thecontent of O as an impurity element is preferably 0.001% or less.

Another of the chemical compositions of the hot-rolled steel bar or wirerod in accordance with the present invention is a chemical compositionthat contains at least one element of elements selected from Ni, Mo, Nb,and V in lieu of part of Fe.

Hereunder, the operational advantages of Ni, Mo, Nb, and V, which areoptional elements, and the reason for restricting the content of each ofthese elements are explained.

Both of Ni and Mo have an action for enhancing the hardenability.Therefore, in the case where it is desired to obtain higherhardenability, these elements may be contained. Hereunder, Ni and Mo areexplained.

Ni: 1.5% or Less

Nickel (Ni) is an element that has an effect of enhancing thehardenability and is effective in further increasing the fatiguestrength, and therefore may be contained as necessary. However, if theNi content exceeds 1.5%, not only the effect of enhancing the fatiguestrength due to the improvement in hardenability saturates but also themachinability after hot forging decreases remarkably. Therefore, theamount of Ni, if contained, is 1.5% or less. The amount of Ni, ifcontained, is preferably 0.8% or less.

On the other hand, in order to reliably achieve the effect of enhancingthe fatigue strength due to the improvement in hardenability of Ni, theamount of Ni, if contained, is preferably 0.1% or more.

Mo: 0.8% or Less

Molybdenum (Mo) is an element effective in further increasing thefatigue strength because of having an effect of enhancing thehardenability and further enhancing the temper softening resistance, andtherefore may be contained as necessary. However, if the Mo contentexceeds 0.8%, not only the effect of increasing the fatigue strengthsaturates but also the machinability after hot forging decreasesremarkably. Therefore, the amount of Mo, if contained, is 0.8% or less.The amount of Mo, if contained, is preferably 0.4% or less.

On the other hand, in order to reliably achieve the effect of increasingthe fatigue strength due to the improvement in hardenability and tempersoftening resistance of Mo, the amount of Mo, if contained, ispreferably 0.05% or more.

The Ni and Mo can be contained in either one kind or compositely in twokinds. The total content of these elements may be 2.3% or less, but ispreferably 1.2% or less.

Both of Nb and V have an action for complementing the prevention ofaustenite grains from being coarsened at the time of heating forcarburization due to AlN, so that these elements may be contained.Hereunder, the Nb and V are explained.

Nb: 0.08% or Less

Niobium (Nb) is an element effective in complementing the prevention ofaustenite grains from being coarsened at the time of heating forcarburization due to AlN because Nb is liable to form NbC, NbN, Nb(C,N)by combining with C and N. However, if the Nb content exceeds 0.08%, theeffect of preventing austenite grains from being coarsened is ratherdeteriorated. For this reason, the alloy cost goes up, and theeconomical efficiency is impaired. Therefore, the amount of Nb, ifcontained, is 0.08% or less. The amount of Nb, if contained, ispreferably 0.04% or less.

On the other hand, in order to reliably achieve the effect of preventingaustenite grains from being coarsened of Nb, the amount of Nb, ifcontained, is preferably 0.01% or more.

V: 0.2% or Less

Vanadium (V) is likely to form VN and VC by combining with C and N, and,of these two, VN is effective in complementing the prevention ofaustenite grains from being coarsened at the time of heating forcarburization due to AlN. However, if the V content exceeds 0.2%, theeffect of preventing austenite grains from being coarsened is ratherdeteriorated. For this reason, the alloy cost goes up, and theeconomical efficiency is impaired. Therefore, the amount of V, ifcontained, is 0.2% or less. The amount of V, if contained, is preferably0.1% or less.

On the other hand, in order to reliably achieve the effect of preventingaustenite grains from being coarsened of V, the amount of V, ifcontained, is preferably 0.02% or more.

The Nb and V can be contained in either one kind or compositely in twokinds. The total content of these elements may be 0.28% or less, but ispreferably 0.14% or less.

(B) Amount of Al Precipitating as AlN and Density in Terms of the Numberof AlN Having a Diameter of 100 Nm or Larger in Each of Regions at theTime when a Region from the Surface to One-Fifth of the Radius and aRegion from the Center to One-Fifth of the Radius in the TransverseCross Section are Observed

Since the cast piece and slab each have a large cross section, it takesmuch time for the center to reach a predetermined temperature.Therefore, when the cast piece and slab are heated, generally, thecenter has a low temperature as compared with the outer layer portion,or the time period during which the cast piece and slab are held at apredetermined temperature is short. For this reason, at the stage ofhot-rolled steel bar or wire rod, at which a hot-worked state isestablished, the amount of AlN precipitated and the dispersed state aredifferent between the outer layer portion and the center, so that adifference also occurs in the coarsening of austenite grains.

However, when the region from the surface to one-fifth of the radius andthe region from the center to one-fifth of the radius in the transversecross section are observed, if, in each of the regions, the amount of Alprecipitating as AlN is 0.005% or less and the density in terms of thenumber of AlN having a diameter of 100 nm or larger is 5/100 μm² orless, austenite grains can be restrained from being coarsened at thetime of heating for carbonization in the whole region from the outerlayer to the center even if the steel is hot forged after being heatedto various temperatures between 900° C. and 1200° C.

Therefore, in the present invention, it was defined that when the regionfrom the surface to one-fifth of the radius and the region from thecenter to one-fifth of the radius in the transverse cross section areobserved, if, in each of the regions, the amount of Al precipitating asAlN is 0.005% or less and the density in terms of the number of AlNhaving a diameter of 100 nm or larger is 5/100 μm² or less.

The amount of Al precipitating as AlN can be determined as describedbelow. For example, an appropriate test specimen is sampled. After thetransverse cross section of this test specimen has been masked with aresin so as not to be electrolytically polished, extraction(electrolysis) is carried out at a current density of 250 to 350 μm² byusing a 10% AA-based electrolyte, which is the general condition, andthe extracted solution is filtrated with a filter having a mesh size of0.2 μm. Thereafter, the filtrated substance is chemically analyzed bythe general method to determine the Al amount. At the time offiltration, by using the 0.2-μm filter, most of precipitates of nm sizecan be taken. The aforementioned 10% AA-based electrolyte is a 10-vol %acetylacetone-1 mass % tetramethylammonium chloride-methanol solution.

The density in terms of the number of AlN having a diameter of 100 nm orlarger in the two regions can be determined as a density per 100 μm² ofarea by the method described below. For example, an extraction replicaspecimen is prepared from each of the regions by the general method, andten viewing fields are observed by using a transmission electronmicroscope with the magnification being ×20,000 and the area per oneviewing field being 10 μm².

In each of the two regions, the amount of Al precipitating as AlN ispreferably 0.003% or less, and the density in terms of the number of AlNhaving a diameter of 100 nm or larger is preferably 3/100 μm² or less.

(C) Micro-Structure

It is thought that the tendency of the nonuniformity of micro-structureat the stage of hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod in a hot-worked stateis carried on even after the material has been hot forged to roughlyform required parts such as gears, and the nonuniformity ofmicro-structure exerts an influence on the property of preventingaustenite grains from being coarsened at the time of heating forcarburization.

Therefore, a proper micro-structure is needed. In the case where thestructure is composed of a ferrite-pearlite structure,ferrite-pearlite-bainite structure, or ferrite-bainite structure, andthe standard deviation of ferrite fractions at the time when randomlyselected 15 viewing fields of a transverse cross section are observedand measured with the area per one viewing field being 62,500 μm² is0.10 or less, austenite grains can be prevented from being coarsened atthe time of heating for carburization.

In the case where martensite is contained in the structure, becausemartensite is hard and low in ductility, a crack is liable to beproduced on the hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod at the time ofstraightening and transportation.

Since the ferrite structure does not contain cementite, the distributionstate thereof is liable to be affected even after hot forging ascompared with the pearlite structure and bainite structure containingcementite. Therefore, if the structure is various mixed structurescontaining the ferrite structure, and the standard deviation of theferrite fractions is 0.10 or less, the variations in micro-structure inthe cross section at the stage of hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod aresmall, and austenite grains can be prevented from being coarsened at thetime of heating for carburization.

The “phase” in the structure can be identified by the method describedbelow. For example, a test specimen is cut out of a cross section thatis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of hot-rolled steel baror wire rod and includes the center, and is mirror polished and corrodedwith nital, and randomly selected 15 viewing fields of the test specimenare observed with the magnification being ×400 and the size of viewingfield being 250 μm×250 μm to identify the phase. Further, from theferrite fraction (area fraction) determined by image analysis of theviewing fields using the ordinary method, the standard deviation offerrite fractions can be calculated.

The standard deviation of ferrite fractions is preferably 0.07 orsmaller.

The amount of Al precipitating as AlN, the density in terms of thenumber of AlN (dispersed state), and the micro-structure are affected bythe chemical composition of steel, the production conditions of castpiece and slab, the segregation of component elements in the cast pieceand slab, the hot-working conditions of the hot-rolled steel bar or wirerod, and the cooling rate after hot working.

Accordingly, as one example of a method for obtaining the amount of Alprecipitating as AlN, the AlN dispersed state, and the micro-structure,there is shown a case where a steel containing 0.20 to 0.25% of C, 0.4to 0.8% of Si, 0.5 to 0.8% of Mn, and 1.0 to 1.5% of Cr is used.Needless to say, the producing method for the hot-rolled steel bar orwire rod of the present invention is not limited to this.

To apply rolling reduction to the cast piece during solidification

To heat the cast piece at a heating temperature of 1250 to 1300° C. fora heating time of five hours or longer and thereafter to bloom the castpiece

To allow the slab having been bloomed to cool

To hot work the slab with the heating temperature being 1230 to 1280° C.and the heating time being one and a half hours or longer

To finish work the slab at the hot work finishing temperature of 950 to1050° C., and thereafter to cool the slab to a temperature of 600° C. orlower at a cooling rate of allowing cooling in the atmosphere(hereinafter, referred simply to as “allowing cooling”)

To make the forging ratio from slab to steel bar or wire rod (thecross-sectional area of slab/the cross-sectional area of steel bar orwire rod) eight or more

After finish working in hot working, the slab need not be cooled to roomtemperature at a cooling rate of allowing cooling or lower. When atemperature of 600° C. or lower is reached, the slab may be cooled by anappropriate means such as air cooling, mist cooling, or water cooling.

The heating temperature in this description means the average value ofin-furnace temperatures in a heating furnace, and the heating time meanstime period during which the slab is heated in the furnace. Thefinishing temperature of hot working is the surface temperature of steelbar or wire rod, and further the cooling rate after finish working isthe surface cooling rate of steel bar or wire rod.

Hereunder, the present invention is explained in more detail based onexamples.

EMBODIMENT Example 1

Steel α and steel β each having a chemical composition given in Table 1were put into a 70-ton converter to regulate the components. Thereafter,the steels were subjected to continuous casting to form a cast piece(bloom) of 400 mm×300 mm square, and were cooled to 600° C. At a stageduring solidification in continuous casting, rolling reduction wasapplied. Both of steel α and steel β are steels whose chemicalcompositions are within the range defined in the present invention.

The cast piece thus produced was heated to a temperature of 600 to 1280°C., thereafter being bloomed to form a slab of 180 mm×180 mm square, andwas cooled to room temperature. Further, the 180 mm×180 mm square slabwas heated, and thereafter was hot rolled to form a steel bar having adiameter of 40 mm.

Table 2 gives, as production conditions (1) to (9), the details of theheating condition of cast piece, the cooling condition after blooming,the heating condition of slab, the rolling finishing temperature ofsteel bar rolling, and the cooling condition after rolling at the timewhen the cast piece of 400 mm×300 mm is finished to the 40 mm-diametersteel bar.

TABLE 1 Chemical composition (mass %) Balance: Fe and impurities Steel CSi Mn P S Cr Mo Al Ti N O α 0.21 0.23 0.85 0.012 0.019 1.12 — 0.0340.001 0.0163 0.0010 β 0.20 0.08 0.86 0.015 0.021 1.08 0.12 0.029 0.0010.0157 0.0008

TABLE 2 Cast piece Slab Steel bar rolling Production Heating HeatingRolling finishing condition temperature Heating time Cooling conditionafter temperature Heating time temperature sign (° C.) ( min) blooming(° C.) (min) (° C.) Cooling condition <1> 1280 60 Allowing to cool 125090 1000 Allowing to cool <2> 1280 360 Allowing to cool 1250 90 1000Allowing to cool <3> 1280 360 Slow cooling for 20 hours 1250 90 1000Allowing to cool <4> 1280 360 Allowing to cool 1150 120 980 Allowing tocool <5> 1280 360 Allowing to cool 1250 40 980 Allowing to cool <6> 1280360 Allowing to cool 1250 90 900 Slow cooling to 600° C. <7> 1280 360Allowing to cool 1250 90 1080 Allowing to cool <8> 1280 60 Allowing tocool 1150 120 980 Allowing to cool <9> 1280 360 Allowing to cool 1250 90950 Allowing to cool “Allowing to cool” in “Cooling condition afterblooming” column and “Steel bar rolling” column means allowing to coolin the atmosphere. “Slow cooling for 20 hours” in “Cooling conditionafter blooming” column of Production condition (3) indicates thatcooling was performed to room temperature for 20 hours. Cooling after“Slow cooling to 600° C.” in “Steel bar rolling” column of Productioncondition (6) was allowing to cool in the atmosphere.

For each of the 40 mm-diameter steel bars obtained as described above,the region from the surface to one-fifth of the radius and the regionfrom the center to one-fifth of the radius in the transverse crosssection were observed, and the amount of Al precipitating as AlN and thedensity in terms of the number of AlN having a diameter of 100 nm orlarger were examined, and also the structure and the standard deviationof ferrite fractions at the time when randomly selected 15 viewingfields of a transverse cross section were observed and measured with thearea per one viewing field being 62,500 μm² were examined. Further, atest simulating the heating in hot forging and carburizing was conductedto examine the presence of occurrence of coarse grains. Hereunder, thespecific examination methods are explained.

First, since scale is present on the surface of the 40 mm-diameter steelbar, the extracted residue analysis cannot be performed as it is.Therefore, by turning, a test specimen having a diameter of 39 mm and alength of 10 mm and a test specimen having a diameter of 8 mm and alength of 20 mm were sampled from the concentric positions. After thetransverse cross section of each of the test specimens had been maskedwith a resin so as not to be electrolytically polished, extraction(electrolysis) was carried out at a current density of 250 to 350 A/m²by using a 10% AA-based electrolyte, which is the general condition, andthe extracted solution was filtrated with a filter having a mesh size of0.2 μm. Thereafter, the filtrated substance was chemically analyzed bythe general method to determine the amount of Al precipitating as AlN.

In the transverse section of the steel bar having a diameter of 40 mm,from each of the region from the surface to one-fifth of the radius andthe region from the center to one-fifth of the radius, an extractionreplica specimen was prepared by the general method, and ten viewingfields were observed by using a transmission electron microscope withthe magnification being ×20,000 and the area per one viewing field being10 μm², whereby the density in terms of the number of AlN having adiameter of 100 nm or larger per 100 μm² of area was determined.

A test specimen was cut out of a cross section that was perpendicular tothe longitudinal direction of 40 mm-diameter steel bar and included thecenter, and was mirror polished and corroded with nital, and randomlyselected 15 viewing fields of the test specimen were observed with themagnification being ×400 and the size of viewing field being 250 μm×250μm to examine the structure. Further, the ferrite fractions (areafractions) were determined by image analysis of the viewing fields byusing the ordinary method, and from the analysis results, the standarddeviation of ferrite fractions was calculated.

A test specimen having a length of 60 mm was cut out of the 40mm-diameter steel bar, and was heated at temperatures of 1200° C., 1100°C., 1000° C., and 900° C. for 30 minutes to simulate hot forging.Thereafter, after 10 seconds from when the test specimen was taken outof the furnace, the test specimen was compressed by 60% in the heightdirection of the columnar shape, and subsequently was allowed to cool toroom temperature. The test specimen thus obtained was further heated at930° C. for one hour, and then was allowed to cool to room temperature.

Next, the test specimen obtained as described above was cut into fourequal pieces in the longitudinal cross section direction, being held attemperatures of 950° C., 980° C., 1010° C., and 1040° C. for three hoursto simulate heating for carburization, and thereafter was cooled to roomtemperature by water cooling. The cut surface of the test specimen thusobtained was removed by a thickness of 1 mm, and the cut surface wasmirror polished and was corroded with a picric acid saturated aqueoussolution to which a surface active agent was added. Then, randomlyselected ten viewing fields were observed by using an optical microscopeat a magnification of ×100 to examine the state in which the coarseningphenomenon of austenite grains occurred. The size of each viewing fieldin this examination was 1.0 mm×1.0 mm, and in the case where it wasfound by this examination that two or more austenite grains having agrain number of 5 or less were present, it was judged that austenitegrains were coarsened. The target of the effect of preventing austenitegrains from being coarsened was made that austenite grains are notcoarsened when the steel is heated at a temperature of 980° C. or lowerfor three hours.

Tables 3 and 4 summarize the results of the aforementioned examinationstogether with the production conditions of steel bar and the temperatureat which the steel bar was heated to simulate hot forging. Theproduction condition signs in Tables 3 and 4 correspond to the conditionsigns described in Table 2.

TABLE 3 Region from surface to Region from center 1/5 of radius in to1/5 of radius in Formation transverse cross section transverse crosssection temperature AIN having a AIN having a Standard Heating ofcoarsened Production diameter of 100 diameter of 100 deviationtemperature austenite condition Al as nm or larger Al as nm or larger offerrite in forging grains Steel sign AIN(%) (number/100 μm²) AIN(%)(number/100 μm²) fractions Structure (° C.) (° C.) Classification α <1> 0.002  1  0.005  *8  0.05 F + P + B 1200 1040 Comparative 1100 #9501000 #980 900 1010 <2>  0.002  0  0.002  1  0.04 F + P + B 1200 >1040Invention 1100 1010 1000 1040 900 >1040 <3>  0.003  *9  0.004 *10  0.04F + P + B 1200 1040 Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #950 900 #980 <4> *0.011 5 *0.012  3  0.03 F + P 1200 >1040 Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #980 9001010 <5>  0.003  1 *0.007  *7  0.05 F + P + B 1200 1040 Comparative 1100#950 1000 #980 900 1010 <6> *0.008  0 *0.009  1  0.02 F + P 1200 >1040Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #980 900 1010 <7>  0.002  0  0.003  1 *0.11F + P + B 1200 >1040 Comparative 1100 #980 1000 #980 900 #950 <8> *0.014*15 *0.017 *24  0.04 F + P 1200 1010 Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #950 900#950 <9>  0.003  0  0.004  1  0.03 F + P 1200 >1040 Invention 1100 10101000 1040 900 1040 “Invention” in classification column indicatesexample embodiment of the present invention, and “Comparative” indicatescomparative example. Production condition signs correspond to conditionsigns described in Table 2. “Al as AIN” means the amount of Alprecipitating as AIN. “F” in Structure column indicates ferrite, “P”indicates pearlite, and “B” indicates bainite. *mark indicates that thevalue deviates from the condition defined in the present invention.#mark indicates that the target is not reached.

TABLE 4 Region from surface Region from center to 1/5 of radius in to1/5 of radius in Formation transverse cross section transverse crosssection temperature AIN having a AIN having a Standard Heating ofcoarsened Production diameter of 100 diameter of 100 deviationtemperature austenite condition Al as nm or larger Al as nm or larger offerrite in forging grains Steel sign AIN(%) (number/100 μm²) AIN(%)(number/100 μm²) fractions Structure (° C.) (° C.) Classification β <1> 0.002  1  0.004  *6  0.06 F + P + B 1200 1040 Comparative 1100 #9501000 #980 900 1010 <2>  0.002  0  0.002  0  0.08 F + P + B 1200 >1040Invention 1100 1010 1000 1040 900 >1040 <3>  0.003  *7  0.004  *8  0.06F + P + B 1200 1040 Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #950 900 #980 <4> *0.0091 4 *0.011  3  0.03 F + P + B 1200 >1040 Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #980900 1010 <5>  0.003  1 *0.006  *6  0.05 F + P + B 1200 1040 Comparative1100 #950 1000 #980 900 1010 <6> *0.008  0 *0.009  1  0.03 F + P1200 >1040 Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #980 900 1010 <7>  0.002  0  0.002 1 *0.12 F + B 1200 >1040 Comparative 1100 #980 1000 #980 900 #950 <8>*0.013 *13 *0.015 *21  0.04 F + P 1200 1010 Comparative 1100 #950 1000#950 900 #950 <9>  0.003  0  0.003  0  0.04 F + P 1200 >1040 Invention1100 1010 1000 1040 900 1040 “Invention” in classification columnindicates example embodiment of the present invention, and “Comparative”indicates comparative example. Production condition signs correspond tocondition signs described in Table 2. “Al as AIN” means the amount of Alprecipitating as AIN. “F” in Structure column indicates ferrite, “P”indicates pearlite, and “B” indicates bainite. *mark indicates that thevalue deviates from the condition defined in the present invention.#mark indicates that the target is not reached.

From Tables 3 and 4, it is apparent that in the case of “exampleembodiment of the present invention” in which the chemical compositionis within the range defined in the present invention, and moreover allof the amount of Al precipitating as AlN in each region and the densityin terms of the number of AlN having a diameter of 100 nm or larger atthe time when the region from the surface to one-fifth of the radius andthe region from the center to one-fifth of the radius in the transversecross section are observed, and the structure and the standard deviationof ferrite fractions at the time when randomly selected 15 viewingfields of a transverse cross section are observed and measured with thearea per one viewing field being 62,500 μm² satisfy the conditionsdefined in the present invention (specifically, in the case where thesteel is produced by production condition sign (2) and productioncondition sign (9)), even if the steel is heated and hot forged atvarious temperatures in the range of 900 to 1200° C., coarse grains arenot formed until the carburization heating simulating temperaturereaches 980° C., and the effect of preventing austenite grains frombeing coarsened can be achieved. However, in the case of “comparativeexample” in which all of the conditions defined in the present inventionare not satisfied at the same time, the property of preventing austenitegrains from being coarsened, which is the target of the presentinvention, is not achieved.

Example 2

Steels a to i each having a chemical composition given in Table 5 wereput into a 70-ton converter to regulate the components. Thereafter, thesteels were subjected to continuous casting to form a cast piece (bloom)of 400 mm×300 mm square, and were cooled to 600° C. At a stage duringsolidification in continuous casting, rolling reduction was applied.

All of steels a, b, and f to i given in Table 5 are steels whosechemical compositions are within the range defined in the presentinvention. On the other hand, steels c to e are steels of comparativeexample, whose chemical composition deviates from the condition definedin the present invention.

The cast piece thus produced was heated to a temperature of 600 to 1280°C., thereafter being bloomed to form a slab of 180 mm×180 mm square, andwas cooled to room temperature. Further, the 180 mm×180 mm square slabwas heated, and thereafter was hot rolled to form a steel bar having adiameter of 40 mm.

TABLE 5 Chemical composition (mass %) Balance: Fe and impurities Steel CSi Mn P S Cr Ni Mo Al Nb Ti V N O a 0.22 0.41 0.86 0.011 0.017 1.18 — — 0.029 — 0.002 —  0.0118 0.0009 b 0.23 0.42 0.85 0.016 0.015 1.21 — — 0.032 — 0.001 —  0.0213 0.0012 c 0.21 0.38 0.84 0.013 0.016 1.17 — — 0.032 — 0.001 — *0.0092 0.0011 d 0.21 0.22 0.85 0.013 0.017 1.16 — —*0.014 — 0.002 —  0.0153 0.0014 e 0.20 0.41 0.85 0.014 0.016 1.15 — —*0.058 — 0.001 —  0.0168 0.0008 f 0.21 0.22 0.78 0.011 0.021 1.07 0.53 — 0.031 — 0.001 —  0.0171 0.0009 g 0.21 0.08 0.72 0.015 0.015 1.03 — 0.38 0.030 — 0.002 —  0.0168 0.0010 h 0.21 0.42 0.51 0.011 0.015 1.51 — — 0.024 0.035 0.001 —  0.0156 0.0009 i 0.22 0.51 0.49 0.011 0.018 1.49 —0.21  0.031 — 0.001 0.08  0.0171 0.0008 *mark indicates that the valuedeviates from the condition defined in the present invention.

For each of the 40 mm-diameter steel bars obtained as described above,the region from the surface to one-fifth of the radius and the regionfrom the center to one-fifth of the radius in the transverse crosssection were observed by the same method as that in Example 1, and theamount of Al precipitating as AlN and the density in terms of the numberof AlN having a diameter of 100 nm or larger were examined, and also thestructure and the standard deviation of ferrite fractions at the timewhen randomly selected 15 viewing fields of a transverse cross sectionwere observed and measured with the area per one viewing field being62,500 μm² were examined. Further, a test simulating the heating in hotforging and carburizing was conducted to examine the presence ofoccurrence of coarse grains.

That is, by turning the 40 mm-diameter steel bar, a test specimen havinga diameter of 39 mm and a length of 10 mm and a test specimen having adiameter of 8 mm and a length of 20 mm were sampled from the concentricpositions. After the transverse cross section of each of the testspecimens had been masked with a resin so as not to be electrolyticallypolished, extraction (electrolysis) was carried out at a current densityof 250 to 350 A/m² by using a 10% AA-based electrolyte, which is thegeneral condition, and the extracted solution was filtrated with afilter having a mesh size of 0.2 μm. Thereafter, the filtrated substancewas chemically analyzed by the general method to determine the amount ofAl precipitating as AlN.

In the transverse section of the steel bar having a diameter of 40 mm,from each of the region from the surface to one-fifth of the radius andthe region from the center to one-fifth of the radius, an extractionreplica specimen was prepared by the general method, and ten viewingfields were observed by using a transmission electron microscope withthe magnification being ×20,000 and the area per one viewing field being10 μm², whereby the density in terms of the number of AlN having adiameter of 100 nm or larger per 100 μm² of area was determined.

A test specimen was cut out of a cross section that was perpendicular tothe longitudinal direction of 40 mm-diameter steel bar and included thecenter, and was mirror polished and corroded with nital, and randomlyselected 15 viewing fields of the test specimen were observed with themagnification being ×400 and the size of viewing field being 250 μm×250μm to examine the structure. Further, the ferrite fractions (areafractions) were determined by image analysis of the viewing fields byusing the ordinary method, and from the analysis results, the standarddeviation of ferrite fractions was calculated.

A test specimen having a length of 60 mm was cut out of the 40mm-diameter steel bar, and was heated at temperatures of 1200° C., 1100°C., 1000° C., and 900° C. for 30 minutes to simulate hot forging.Thereafter, after 10 seconds from when the test specimen was taken outof the furnace, the test specimen was compressed by 60% in the heightdirection of the columnar shape, and subsequently was allowed to cool toroom temperature. The test specimen thus obtained was further heated at930° C. for one hour, and then was allowed to cool to room temperature.

Next, the test specimen obtained as described above was cut into fourequal pieces in the longitudinal cross section direction, being held attemperatures of 950° C., 980° C., 1010° C., and 1040° C. for three hoursto simulate heating for carburization, and thereafter was cooled to roomtemperature by water cooling. The cut surface of the test specimen thusobtained was removed by a thickness of 1 mm, and the cut surface wasmirror polished and was corroded with a picric acid saturated aqueoussolution to which a surface active agent was added. Then, randomlyselected ten viewing fields were observed by using an optical microscopeat a magnification of ×100 to examine the state in which the coarseningphenomenon of austenite grains occurred. The size of each viewing fieldin this examination was 1.0 mm×1.0 mm, and in the case where it wasfound by this examination that two or more austenite grains having agrain number of 5 or less were present, it was judged that austenitegrains were coarsened. Similarly to the case of Example 1, the target ofthe effect of preventing austenite grains from being coarsened was madethat austenite grains are not coarsened when the steel is heated at atemperature of 980° C. or lower for three hours.

Tables 6 and 7 summarize the results of the aforementioned examinationstogether with the production conditions of steel bar and the temperatureat which the steel was heated to simulate hot forging. The productioncondition signs in Tables 6 and 7 correspond to the condition signsdescribed in Table 2.

TABLE 6 Region from surface Region from center to 1/5 of radius in to1/5 of radius in Formation transverse cross section transverse crosssection temperature AIN having a AIN having a Standard Heating ofcoarsened Production diameter of 100 diameter of 100 deviationtemperature austenite condition Al as nm or larger Al as nm or larger offerrite in forging grains Steel sign AIN(%) (number/100 μm²) AIN(%)(number/100 μm²) fractions Structure (° C.) (° C.) Classification  a <2> 0.001  0  0.001  0 0.04 F + P + B 1200 1040 Invention 1100 1010 10001010 900 1040 <8> *0.007  *7 *0.010 *12 0.04 F + P 1200 1040 Comparative1100 #950 1000 #950 900 #950  b <2>  0.003  1  0.004  2 0.03 F + P + B1200 >1040 Invention 1100 1010 1000 1040 900 >1040 <4> *0.016 *12 *0.018*11 0.02 F + P 1200 1040 Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #950 900 1010 *c <2> 0.001  0  0.001  0 0.04 F + P + B 1200 1010 Comparative 1100 #950 1000#950 900 #980 <5>  0.002  1  0.004  2 0.04 F + P + B 1200 1010Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #950 900 #950 *d <2>  0.001  0  0.001  0 0.04F + P + B 1200 #980 Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #950 900 #980 <3>  0.002 4  0.003  *5 0.04 F + P + B 1200 1010 Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #950900 #950 *e <1> *0.014 *15 *0.023 *37 0.03 F + P + B 1200 #980Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #950 900 1010 “Invention” in classificationcolumn indicates example embodiment of the present invention, and“Comparative” indicates comparative example. Production condition signscorrespond to condition signs described in Table 2. “Al as AIN” meansthe amount of Al precipitating as AIN. “F” in Structure column indicatesferrite, “P” indicates pearlite, and “B” indicates bainite. *markindicates that the value deviates from the condition defined in thepresent invention. #mark indicates that the target is not reached.

TABLE 7 Region from surface Region from center to 1/5 of radius in to1/5 of radius in Formation transverse cross section transverse crosssection temperature AIN having a AIN having a Standard Heating ofcoarsened Production diameter of 100 diameter of 100 deviationtemperature austenite condition Al as nm or larger Al as nm or larger offerrite in forging grains Steel sign AIN(%) (number/100 μm²) AIN(%)(number/100 μm²) fractions Structure (° C.) (° C.) Classification *e <2>*0.008 *7 *0.015 *18  0.02 F + P + B 1200 1010 Comparative 1100 #9501000 #950 900 #950  f <2>  0.002  0  0.002  1  0.06 F + P + B 1200 >1040Invention 1100 1010 1000 1040 900 >1040 <6> *0.008  0 *0.010  1  0.02F + P 1200 >1040 Comparative 1100 #950 1000 #980 900 1010  g <7>  0.003 0  0.004  2 *0.13 F + B 1200 >1040 Comparative 1100 #980 1000 #980 900#950 <2>  0.002  0  0.002  1  0.08 F + B 1200 >1040 Invention 1100 10101000 1040 900 >1040  h <2>  0.001  0  0.001  1  0.06 F + P + B1200 >1040 Invention 1100 1040 1000 >1040 900 >1040 <1>  0.003  3  0.005 *9  0.05 F + P + B 1200 1040 Comparative 1100 #980 1000 1010 900 1010 i <2>  0.002  1  0.002  2  0.07 F + B 1200 >1040 Invention 1100 10401000 1040 900 >1040 <5>  0.003  1 *0.007  *7  0.04 F + P + B 1200 >1040Comparative 1100 #980 1000 1010 900 1040 “Invention” in classificationcolumn indicates example embodiment of the present invention, and“Comparative” indicates comparative example. Production condition signscorrespond to condition signs described in Table 2. “Al as AIN” meansthe amount of Al precipitating as AIN. “F” in Structure column indicatesferrite, “P” indicates pearlite, and “B” indicates bainite. *markindicates that the value deviates from the condition defined in thepresent invention. #mark indicates that the target is not reached.

From Tables 6 and 7, it is apparent that in the case of “exampleembodiment of the present invention” in which the chemical compositionis within the range defined in the present invention, and moreover allof the amount of Al precipitating as AlN in each region and the densityin terms of the number of AlN having a diameter of 100 nm or larger atthe time when the region from the surface to one-fifth of the radius andthe region from the center to one-fifth of the radius in the transversecross section are observed, and the structure and the standard deviationof ferrite fractions at the time when randomly selected 15 viewingfields of a transverse cross section are observed and measured with thearea per one viewing field being 62,500 μm² satisfy the conditionsdefined in the present invention, even if the steel is heated and hotforged at various temperatures in the range of 900 to 1200° C., coarsegrains are not formed until the carburization heating simulatingtemperature reaches 980° C., and the effect of preventing austenitegrains from being coarsened can be achieved.

In contrast, in the case of “comparative example” in which all of theconditions defined in the present invention are not satisfied at thesame time, the property of preventing austenite grains from beingcoarsened, which is the target of the present invention, is notachieved.

Although only some exemplary embodiments of this invention have beendescribed in detail above, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod in accordance with the presentinvention is suitable as a starting material for parts, such as gears,pulleys, and shafts, that are roughly formed by hot forging becauseaustenite grains can be stably prevented from being coarsened when thesteel is heated in the process of carburizing or carbo-nitriding,especially when the steel is heated at a temperature of 980° C. or lowerfor three hours or shorter even if being hot forged in varioustemperature ranges, especially being hot forged after being heated to900 to 1200° C.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod having a chemical composition consisting of, by mass percent, C: 0.1 to 0.3%, Si: 0.05 to 1.5%, Mn: 0.4 to 2.0%, S: 0.003 to 0.05%, Cr: 0.5 to 3.0%, Al: 0.02 to 0.05%, and N: 0.010 to 0.025%, the balance being Fe and impurities, and the contents of P, Ti and O in the impurities being P: 0.025% or less, Ti: 0.003% or less, and O: 0.002% or less, wherein the structure of the hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod is composed of a ferrite-pearlite structure, ferrite-pearlite-bainite structure, or ferrite-bainite structure; the standard deviation of ferrite fractions at the time when randomly selected 15 viewing fields of a transverse cross section are observed and measured with the area per one viewing field being 62,500 μm² is 0.10 or less; and when a region from the surface to one-fifth of the radius and a region from the center to one-fifth of the radius in the transverse cross section are observed, in each of the regions, the amount of Al precipitating as AlN is 0.005% or less, and the density in terms of the number of AlN having a diameter of 100 nm or larger is 5/100 μm² or less.
 2. The hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod according to claim 1, wherein the chemical composition further contains, by mass percent, at least one element selected from Ni: 1.5% or less and Mo: 0.8% or less in lieu of part of Fe.
 3. The hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod according to claim 1, wherein the chemical composition further contains, by mass percent, at least one element selected from Nb: 0.08% or less and V: 0.2% or less in lieu of part of Fe.
 4. The hot-rolled steel bar or wire rod according to claim 2, wherein the chemical composition further contains, by mass percent, at least one element selected from Nb: 0.08% or less and V: 0.2% or less in lieu of part of Fe. 